Machine for cementing soles to shoes



Feb. 14, 1939. M, BARRY MACHINE FOR CEMENTING SOLES TO SHOES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May ll, 1953 J |nvenToT.' MQUHCE Barry b W M ATT-ys.

Feb. '14, 1939. M BARRY 2,146,927

MACHINE FOR CEMENTING SOLES TO SHOES 5 a o. O

N: 0C3 N 9 N 9 g o0 lnvenTor. Maurice Barry ATTys.

Feb. 14, 1939. M, BARRY 2,146,927

MACHINE FOR CEMENTING SOLES 'IO SHOES Filed May 11, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l/IIIIIIIIIIII II II n l I lnvenTor. Maurice Barry byfmw ATTys Feb. 14, 1939. M. BARRY 2,146,927

MACHINE FOR CEMENTING SOLES T0 SHOES Filed May 11, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet, 5

lnvenTor.

Maurice Barry b XLM/W&M ATTys.

Feb. 14, 1939. M BARRW 2,146,927

MACHINE FOR CEMENTING SOLES TO SHOES Filed May 11, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lnvenToT. Maurice Barry AITys Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATE FA E NT FFI 1;

MACHINE n v GEMENTI'NG sem s SHOES 19 Glaims.

This invention relates to machines for cementing soles to shoes and particularly to that type of machine which involves a plurality of travelling sole-pressing units each adapted to receive a shoe and apply pressure to the sole thereof.

In the present invention these travelling units are preferably connected together to produce an endless chain structure and one feature of my invention relates to a novel means for actuating the connected or articulated sole-pressing units so lit as to bring them successively into position to have a shoe and its sole placed therein.

a The sole-pressing units herein illustrated each nclu an inflatab pa es h h m a er holding a shoe in position with the sole resting agains the. re a an t r re of the i e tion relates to a novel means for inflating each pad thereby to apply the desired pressure to. the sole. of the sho Another feature of the invention relates to novel means for relieving the pressure in each pad at the proper point in the cycle of operations.

In. an organized machine embodying the invention the sole-pressing units are connected together in an endless chain formation which is moved forwa h a te s e e ie whereby the units are brought successively into oading sition. in wh h position each un i adapted to receive a shoe with its assembled sole.

When the shoe and the sole to be cemented thereto have been placed in the unit, the pad is nflate thus appl in th e s ry pr ss re to the sole oi the shoe. The endless chain structure is then moved forward one step to bring another unit into loading position and another shoe with ts assemb ed sele is a ed in s d unit- This operation is repeated again and again, each unit having a shoe placed therein as it comes into loadin PQ i Qn- I T eressur i main a ne on a h nfla l pad while it is making the circuit of the endless chain formation and as each unit approaches the ead n sosition the pressur n th a w l b relieved so that the shoe can be removed and its place ta e b n h r ho he me r ui d for each unit to make the circuit of the endless chain structure is sufficient to enable the cement to set.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated in the drawings some selected embodiments thereof which will now be described after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 shows a modified form of control means;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a portion of the articulated sole-pressing units and the means for driving the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 44 Fig 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4 with the solepressing units omitted;

6 is a fragmentary view showing the means for inflating and deflating the inflatable pads;

Fig. 7 is a view on substantially the section line 1-4, e 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the pad-inflating means;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on substantially the line 8-9, Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the pad-inflating connections;

Fig. ll is a section through the valve stem on the line Il--l I Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the valve in the air delivery nozzle;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showin a modified form of control for the air and the driving mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a side View of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section on the line I5--l5, Fig. 7;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view showing the clutch-operating lever;

As stated above my sole-pressing machine includes a plurality of travelling sole-pressing units which are preferably articulated together in the form of an endless chain arrangement, each unit including an inflatable pad and shoe-positioning means to hold the shoe in position with the sole pressed against the pad. Each individual sole-pressing unit is indicated at l and each comprises a supporting base or frame 2 (see Fig. together with an inflatable pad 3 mounted thereon. The base or frame 2 is provided with shoe-holding means in the form of two oppositely-disposed overhanging arms 4 and 5, the arm i being adapted to engage the heel, portion 6 of a last on which the shoe 1 to be operated on is mounted, and the arm 5 being provided with a pad 8 to rest against the toe portion of the shoe. Each sole-pressing unit is also provided with an air-inlet nozzle, indicated generally at 9, through which the pad 3 may be inflated, said nozzle being provided with a suitable ,valve, presently to be described, to prevent deflation of the pad. These sole-pressing units 1 are articulated together in the form of an endless chain arrangement.

The base 2 of each unit is provided at one 55 end with an ear I adapted to be received between two complemental ears II extending from the adjacent end of the base 2 of an adjacent unit, said ears being interleaved and pivotally connected together through a pivot pin I2.

This endless chain structure is carried by and travels around two sprocket wheel assemblies I3, I4 which are shown as received in housings I 5 and IS respectively. The sprocket wheel assembly I4 is the driving element and it comprises two disks I i mounted on a driving shaft I8 which is journalled in suitable bearings I9 carried by the sides of the housing I6. The opposite sides of each base or frame 2 are provided with flanges 20 which ride on the disks H, the edges 2| of these flanges being curved to fit the periphery of the disk and each flange being formed with a projection 22 adapted to enter one of a plurality of notches 23 with which the periphery of the disk I! is provided. These notches 23 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the units I. The engagement of these projections 22 in the notches 23 forms a driving connection between the disks Hand the articulated sole-pressing units I so that as the disks are rotated the endless chain structure of articulated units will be moved forward.

The upper and lower runs of this endless chain structure are guided in suitable guides carried by the longitudinal members 24, 25 which extend between the housings I5 and I6. There is a longitudinal member 24 on each side of the machine and such member 24 is provided with the two angle iron guides 26, 2? which form between them a channel 28 to receive a roll 29 with which each shoe-pressing unit is equipped. There is a roll 29 on each side of each unit and each roll 29 is shown as mountedin .a bracket member 30 which is secured to a flange 3| projecting from the side of the base or frame I. The rolls are shown as positioned adjacent the end'of each unit and during the travel of the units through the upper run of the endless chain arrangement these rolls are travelling in'the channels 28, one on each side of the machine. For supporting the lower run of the endless chain structure the lower guide member 25 on each side of the machine is provided with an angle iron track or way 32 on which the rolls 29 rest. a

The sprocket wheel assembly I3 is in the form of an idler and it comprises the two disks I'I similar to the disks of the sprocket wheel structure I4 and which disks co-operate with the flanges 2| and their projections 22. This sprocket wheel assembly I3 is carried by a shaft I60 that is mounted at each end in an adjustable bearing block I6I. Each bearing block is mounted for horizontal movement in a supporting frame I62 that is bolted to the side walls of the housing I5. The adjustment of the bearing blocks I6I in the supporting frame I62 is for the purpose of maintaining the proper degree of tension on the endless chain structure. The adjustment of the bearing blocks in the frame is secured by means of adjusting screws I63.

Means are provided for moving the connected units I forward with a step-by-step motion, whereby the units are brought successively into loading position and will remain at rest in such position.

While each unit is in loading position a shoe 6 and its assembled sole II are placed thereinand the pad is inflated. The chain assembly then moves forward one step to bring another unit into position to be loaded and these operations are repeated. It might be remarked here that as each unit approaches its loading position the pad of said unit will be deflated so that when the herein shown it has fast thereon a worm gear 33 which meshes with a worm 34 on a power shaft 35, which shaft 35 is shown as journalled in suitable bracket arms 36. 37 indicates a driving pulley which is loose on the shaft 35 but which is adapted to be clutched thereto through any suitable clutch mechanism. The clutch herein shown is of the known type which is rendered operative by a clutch-actuating cone 38 slidably mounted on the shaft 35 and which engages with clutch-operating levers 39. i

The parts are shown in Fig. 5 in the position they assume when the clutch is .disengaged and the pulley 31 is loose on the shaft. When the clutch-actuating cone 38 is moved upwardly in Fig. 5 thereby to actuate the levers 39 the clutch will be thrown into engagement in a well-known way. Inasmuch as this particular clutch forms no part of my invention I have not thought it necessary to further illustrate it herein.

The driving clutch will be disengaged while each sole-pressing unit is being loaded with a shoe and its assembled sole, and when the shoe has been put in position and the pad has been inflated, the operator throws the clutch into engagement thereby clutching the driving pulley 31 to, the shaft 35 and causing the connected travelling shoeepressing units to be advanced one step or a distance equal to the spacing 01' the individual units I.

Means are provided for locking the endless chain structure from movement when the clutch is disengaged and while theunit, which is in loading position, is being loaded with a shoe and its assembled sole. This locking means is associated with the clutch-actuating means so that the operation of throwing the clutch into engagement also unlocks the driving sprocket assembly I4.

p The clutch is actuated through the medium of a. treadle 40 which is shown as carried at the lower end of a treadle rod M which is mounted for vertical movement in bearngs 42 carried by the'housing I6. This rod is acted on by a spring 43 whichnormally holds it in elevated position. The upper end of the rod is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 44 which in turn is pivotally mounted at 45 on a stand or support 46. The other end of the lever 44 is pivotally connected to a link 41 which connects said lever with an arm 48 rigid on a rock shaft 48 which is journalled in suitable bearings 56 carried by the housing I6; This rock shaft 49 has a pair of arms 5| rigid therewith, each of which is connected by a link 52 to a hub 53 that is slidably mounted on the shaft I8. This hub 53 is provided with two L-shaped arms 54, the ends 55 of which carry rolls 56 adapted to engage in looking notches. 51 formed in a flange 58 extending laterally from one of the disks I I.

The hub 53 is acted on by a spring 59 which normally maintains the hub inthe position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and when in this position the locking arms 55 are in engagement with the v tion 69 the clutch-actuating cone 38 will notches 51 thereby locking the shalt 18 from 1:0 tation. The depression of the treadleoper ates. through the connections 44, 4-1,, 481 and 5.2v to shift the hub 53 to the right. Figs. 4: and 5 against the action of'the spring 59. thereby withdrawing the locking arms- 55 from the locking notches 57 and unlocking the endless chain structure. This same movement" of the hub 53 also operates to shift the clutch-actuating cone 3'! thereby throwing the clutch; into engagement.

For this. purpose one of the arms 54 is provided with two cars 60' carrying a pin 6|3 operatingin a slot 62 formed, in an arm ,63- which is fast on a vertical rock shaft 64 that is journalled in a bracket It. The upper end of. the shaft 64 has another arm 65 fast thereto which is connected through the medium of link 66 and 3| to the upper end of a clutch-actuating lever 61. Said lever 61 is. pivotally mounted at its lower end on a bracket 68 and is provided, at its central portion with a yoke portion 69 that embraces the clutch-actuating: cone 38. Said cone 38 has two oppositely-disposed pins 10 that enter slots formed in the sides of the yoke porso that as the lever 61 is swung away from the observer in Fig. 4 or upwardly in Fig. 5

be moved longitudinally of the shaft 35 thereby :to throw the clutch into engagement. By this means the depressionof the treadle 40 will unlock the sprocket wheel assembly and at the same time clutch the driving pulley 31 to the shaft 35. As soon as the clutch is engaged the shaft l8 begins to rotate slowly forward because of the worm and gear drive between the power shaft 35 and the driving shaft I8, and thus the endless chain arrangement will move slowly forward.

As soon as the sprocket wheel assembly l4 begins to turn the notches 51 willbe moved out of line with the ends 55 of the locking arms and during continued rotation the rolls 56 will ride on the edge of the flange 58. 'As the disks ll of the sprocket wheel assembly l4 continue to rotate other notches 51 will come into line with the ends 55 of the locking arms 54 and as soon as the notches are lined up with said arms the spring 59 will move the hub 53 formed thereby causing the rolls to enter the notches and locking the sprocket wheel structure from further rotation. This same movement of the hub 53 to the left in Figs. 4 and .5wil1 operate to disengage the clutch so that the disengagement of the clutch ocurs simultaneously with the locking of the sprocket wheel assembly.

The notches 57 are so spaced that the angular distance between adjacent notches is that correspondingto a movement of the endless chain structure required to move the connected units forward one step. In advancing the endless chain structure forward with a step-by-step movement, therefore, the operator simply depresses the treadle 4B and holds it depressed until the sprocket wheel structure [4 has started to advance. The operator may then release the pressure on the treadle and when the next notch 51 comes into alignment with the locking arms 55 the springs 51 will automatically disengage the clutch and cause the endless chain structure to be locked from further movement.

It will be understood that the shoe with its assembled sole is placed in each sole-pressing unit at a time when the pad is deflated. The machine embodies suitable means for inflating each pad after it has been loaded with a shoe 1 and its assembled sole 1|.

airsinlet nozzle 9 through which air'is admitted to the inflatable pad is provided with an inwardlysopening check valve which permits inflation but prevents deflation. ofthe pad. This nozzle. is in the form of. a valve casing comprising the exteriorly threaded part 12 and the interiorly threaded part 13 which has screwthreaded connection with the part '12, these parts forming between them a valve chamber 14 to receive a spring-pressed check, valve 15 which normally seatsxagainst a valve seat 16. This valve is normally held to its seat by a spring TI and the. valveis provided with a stem 18, the endof which extends beyond the outer member 133. of the valvev casing when the valve is seated.

Air is introduced into the inflatable pad through the medium of a delivery nozzle I18 whichis connected by a flexible hose 19 to any suitable source of compressed air supply. This nozzle [78 is formed with an egress opening 80 which is. controlled by a valve 8! seating against a. valve seat. 82. This valve 8| is normally held to'its seat bythe pressure in the nozzle. The egressopening 80 of the nozzle is of a size to receive the end 33 of the valve casing member 13 and in order to inflate'the pad the nozzle ll8=is brought into alignment with the pad nozzle 9 and the end; 83 of said pad nozzle 9 is entered into the opening 89 as shown in Fig. 10. The valve 8! is formed with a wing 84 which when the valve 8| is seated extends through the opening in the valve seat 82. When the nozzle lilfiis brought into register with the pad-nozzle 9 and the end 83 of the valve is entered into the opening 88 of the nozzle 176 the wing 84 engages the end of the valve stem 78 thereby unseating the valve #5. The spring TI is strong enough so that it will also unseat the valve 8!.

The valve Si is formed with a stem 85 adapted to enter a recess 85 in the nozzle I18 when the valve BI is unseated, such stem and recess limit ing the unseatingmovoment of the valve 8|. Consequently when the nozzles are brought into register as shown in Fig. 10 both valves I5 and 8| will be unseated and the air thus has a free passage from the delivery hose 79 through the nozzles H8 and 9 into the inflatable pad. The padwill thus be inflated to the required pressure. When the nozzles are separated the spring 17 closes the valve 15 against its seat 76 and the air pressure in the pipe connection '59 will close the valve 8| onto its seat 82.

I have provided herein means for automatically lining up the nozzle H8 with the pad nozzle 9 of the sole-pressing unit about to be loaded and this is accomplished by the movement of said unit into loading position.

The nozzle H8 is mounted on the end of an extensible swinging arm 81 which is pivoted at 88 to the housing Hi. This arm 87 is formed with the tubular portion 89 which is pivoted at 88 and the extensible portion 96 which has a telescopic relation with the tubular portion 89. The extensible section 90 carries at its end a head 9| throughv which passes a vertical thrust rod 92 that is connected to the nozzle H8, (see Fig. 10). The thrust rod 92 can move vertically in the head 9! thereby to raise and lower the nozzle for reasons presently to be described.

The extensible member 96 of the arm 81 is acted on by a spring 93 which is confined within the tubular member 89 and which tends to urge the extensible member 90 outwardly. I30 indi cates a stop pin secured to the extensible member 90 and operating in the slot 95, said stop pin line I89 in Fig. 7.

serving to limit the outward or spring-pressed movement of said member 98. Said member 98 carries a pin 94 which extends through slots 95 formed in the tubular member 89 and which is connected to a link 98 pivoted to the housing at 91.

The nozzle I18 is formed with the two upstanding aligning flanges 98; 99 which are shown as placed at substantially right angles to each other and the purpose of which is to assist in aligning the aperture of the nozzle with the end of the pad nozzle 9 of any unit during its travelling movement into loading position.

The arm 81 with the attached nozzle I18 is normally in the position shown in Fig. '7. The line of travel of the nozzles 9 of the sole-pressing units in the upper run is indicated by the dotted As each unit I approaches the loading position its nozzle 9 will engage the upstanding aligning flanges the nozzle 9a in Fig. '7. As the unit continues to move forward the engagement of the nozzle with the flanges 98, 99 will swing the arm 81 toward the right in Fig. '1 and during this swinging movement the link 96 operates to withdraw the extensible member into the tubular member 89 and as a result the flanges 98, 99 will be travelling in substantially the straight line I98. These flanges 98, 99 serve to line up the nozzle 9 with the opening 88 of the air-delivery nozzle I18. When the parts have been thus lined up then the nozzle I18 is raised into its operative position shown in Fig. 10 thereby coupling that the'pad will be I18 may be the nozzles 9 and I18 so inflated. This raising of the nozzle accomplished in any suitable way.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9 I have provided a treadle I8I for this purpose which is attached to the lower end of a treadle rod I82 mounted for vertical movement in bearings I03 that are secured to the housing I6. This treadle isacted on by a spring I84 which normally holds it in raised position and the upper end of the treadle rod is connected by a pin and slot connection I05 with a lever I98 pivotally mounted at I81 on a supporting stand I88. Thislever carries a plate I89 at its free end on which rests a roll I III that is carried by the lower end of the thrust rod 92. The plate I89 is of suflicient length in the direction of the line of travel so that the roll I I8 will not pass off from it during the swinging movement of the arm 81.

When the treadle I8I is depressed the end of the lever iflI carrying the plate I99 is raised and this raising movement operates through the thrust rod 92 to raise the nozzle I18 into position to connect with the nozzle 9 as shown in Fig. 10.

' From the above it will be understood that as each sole-pressing unit I approaches its loading position the co-operation of the aligning flanges 98, 99 with the nozzle 9 will serve to'line said nozzle up with the nozzle I18, and at the proper time in the cycle of operations the operative depresses the treadle IUI thereby coupling the nozzles and causing the pad to be inflated. When the inflation is completed the pressure on the treadle I8I is released and the spring I94 will then raise the treadle and lower the plate I89 thus allowing the nozzle I18 to drop into its inoperative position with regard to the valve 9.

In order to ensure that the nozzle I18 will move downwardly to withdraw the aperture 89 from the end 83 of the valve when the pressure on the treadle I8I is relieved, Ihave provided a connec- 98, 99 as shown by tion by which the downward movement of the plate I89 is transmitted to the thrust rod 92. The lower end of the thrust rod 92 carries a laterallyextending pin H5, and the plate I09 is provided with a loop II6 which overlies the pin. This loop is shaped so as to permit the free movement oi! the roll IIO along the plate but whenever the plate moves downwardly the loop I I6 engages the pin I I5 and makes the downward or withdrawing movement of the nozzle I18 a positive one.

1 indicates a track or support for the arm 81, the latter carrying a supporting wheel III which rides back and forth on the track H1. The nozzle 9 is still in engagement with the flanges 98 and 99 after the nozzle I18 has been withdrawn from the end 83 of the nozzle 9. As the sole-pressing unit continues its movement after being inflated the engagement of the nozzle 9 with'the aligning flanges 98, 99 causes the arm 81 to swing forwardly about its pivot 88 into the position shown in Fig. 8, and during this swinging movement the flanges will be withdrawn from the path of movement of the nozzle 9 and thereby disengaged therefrom. This disengagement of the flanges 98, 99 from the nozzle 9 is accomplished through the operation of the link After the pad has been inflated and the valves continue to move along the line of travel indicated at I98 the engagement of the valve with the flanges 98, 99 causes the arm 81 to swing forwardly and during this swinging movement the link 96 withdraws the extensible member 98 as shown in Fig. 8, such withdrawing movement being sufficient to withdraw'the flange 98 from engagement with the valve. As soon as this occurs the arm 81 is swung to the left into the position-shown in Fig. 7 ready to receive the nozzle 9 of the next unit. This return movement of thearm 81 is accomplished through the medium of a spring III which is shown as connected to an arm H2 pivoted at II3, which 'arm is connected by a link II4 to the arm 81.

I have stated above that there is also provided means for automatically deflating each pad as the corresponding sole-pressing unit comes into loading position. In the present construction the arm H2 is part of this deflating mechanism. Said arm carries at itsend a stem II9 which is vertically movable through the arm H2 and said 0 stem carries at its upper end a plate I29. The lower end of the stem is provided with a roll I2I adapted to run on a track I22 provided with a cam portion I23. Y In the normal position the roll I2I is .on the low portion of the track I22 as shown in Fig. 6 and in this position the plate I28 is just below'the line of travel of the end of the valve stem 18. As the arm 81 is swung to the right in Fig. '7 by the engagement of the nozzle 9 therewith such swinging movement operates through the link II4 to swing the arm I I2 and as the arm I I2 thus swings to the right the roll I2I will roll up the inclined portion I23 of the track I22 therebyraising the stem I I9 and the plate I28. This rising movement brings the plate I 29 against the end of the valve stem 18 thereby opening the valve-15 and deflating the pad.

It will be remembered that the swinging movement of therarm II2 which causes deflation of a pad that is approaching loading position is caused by the swinging movement of the arm 81 and the latter derives its swinging movement by the forward movement of the articulated units due to the fact that the pad nozzle 9 of the unit which has just previously been inflated is in engagement with the aligning flanges 98, 95 as shown in Fig.7. When the connected units have moved forward sufficiently so that the aligning flanges 9B, 89 are withdrawn from engagement with the nozzle 9 as shown in Fig. 8 then the spring I II returns both the arms 8'. and H2 to their initial positions.

Each padis thus deflated as the corresponding unit moves into leading position and hence when each unit arrives at leading position the shoe therein can be readily removed and another-shoe with its assembled sole placed in the unit with the deflated pad, after which the padis inflated and the connected units are moved forward again one step. In Figs. 1 and 6 the unit which is in loading position is designated Ia. and the unit which is approaching loading position and which is about to be deflated is designated Ib.

During the movement of each unit through the step which carries it from position Ib to position lo the pad will be deflated. Just before the unit reaches the position -Ie the arm 81 will be released and the spring ill will return the arm M2 to its initial position. The unit is, therefore, deflated while at rest in the position I0 and it remains deflated during the next forward step or until it reaches the position indicated at Ia. In moving from the position shown in la to the next position to the left in Fig. l the pad is inflated as stated above.

A shoe and its assembled sole may be placed in each unit when it reaches the position shown at Ia, which, as stated above, is designated as the loading position. As the unit moves forward for the next step, which is toward the right in Fig. 6 and toward the left in Fig. l, the pad will be inflated as above described.

In the constru tion shown in Figs. 1 to 6 there is one treadle it for actuating the driving and stopping mechanism and another treadle IiiI by which the pads are inflated. I have shown in Fig. 2 an embodiment of the invention wherein both these operations are performed by the treadle IEI. In other words, the construction shown in Fig. 2 is one wherein the depression of the treadle lot will operate not only to inflate the pad but also to unlock the sprocket wheel assembly I l and throw the clutch into engagement.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the treadle to is omitted but the lever i t, see Fig. 4, is pivotally connected at its upper end to a rod I33 which corresponds to the treadle rod 4! of Fig. 4,, said rod being mounted for vertical movement in bearings I and being acted on by a spring I34 which normally holds it in elevated position. This rod I33 has a pin 539 occupying a slot I38 of a lever I35 pivoted to the frame of the machine at Iiii. The other end of the lever I35 has an extension I lil pivoted thereto at MI in such a manner as to permit the nose of the extension to swing downwardly from normal position but to prevent it from swinging upwardly from said normal position.

As shown the extension Hill is provided with a finger Hi3 adapted to engage a stop I44 on the end of the lever 53%, the engagement of the finger with the stop preventing the nose of the extension Mil from swinging upwardly. This nose is, however, free to swing downwardly. I42 is a leaf spring bearing on the extension I and normally holding it in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The treadle rod IE2 of the treadle mechanism by which the pads are inflated is provided with a finger Hit. When the treadle IIiI -is depressed the finger I wipes by the extension I40, the

latter swinging downwardly to permit this operation. It will be remembered that the depressing of the treadle IIlI couples the two nozzles I73 and 9 together thereby causing the inflation of thepad. When the treadle IilI is released the spring 'IM raises the treadle and separates the nozzles I18 and 9 and during the upward return movement of the treadle rod I92 the finger I45 engages the extension ME! and swings the lever I38 counter-clockwise in Fig. 2 thereby depressing the rod I33. The downward movement of the rod I33 operates through the lever 64 to unlock the sprocket wheel assembly I l and to clutch the pulley 8? to the power shaft 35 as above explained. With the construction shown in Fig. 2, therefore, the operator has only one treadle to manipulate and the manipulation of this treadle serves both lo inflate the pad which has just been loaded and then to start the driving mechanism which operates to move the endless chain structure of units forward one step.

In Figs. 13 and 14 I have shown a modified form of pad-inflating means by which the nozzles I78 and 9 are coupled together during the movement of the unit and without the necessity of depressing the treadle IEII. In the construction shown in said Figs. 13 and 14 the lever I96 to which the treadle rod I02 is connected is provided at its free end with a head I5il to which a plate I66 is pivoted at I41. This plate can be swung upwardly into the inclined position shown in dotted lines Fig. 14 and when in its raised position it lies in the path of movement of the roll I-I'Il carried at the lower end of the thrust rod 92 so that as the roll rides in a curvilinear path up the inclined plate the thrust rod will be elevated and the nozzles 9 and I18 will be coupled together.

The pivoted plate I MS has an arm I49 depending therefrom which is pivotally connected to the end of a lever I 48, which lever is pivoted coaxially with the lever I06. The outer end I 52 of the lever projects through a slot I54 in the wall I5I of the housing which encloses the inflating and deflating mechanism and this slot is provided with a downwardly-facing shoulder I55. If the outer end I52 of the lever I48 is depressed into the dotted line position of Fig. 13 and then engaged-with the shoulder I55 the plate I66 will be held in its raised inclined position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14. With the parts thus arranged the coupling of the nozzles 9 and H8 will be automatically performed as the roll III! rides up t-he inclined plate I46 thereby dispensing with the necessity of manually manipulating a treadle to effect the coupling of the nozzles.

While I have illustrated herein some selected embodiments of the invention I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown.

I claim:

1. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, a horizontally-swinging air-delivery nozzle, and means to move said nozzle vertically and thereby couple it to said unit during the travelling movement thereof thereby to inflate the pad.

2. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad having an air-inlet nozzle and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, a movable airdelivery'nozzle, means to align said nozzles during the travelling movement of said unit, and

means operative while the unit is travelling to couple said nozzles together, whereby air is delivered to the pad to inflate the latter during its travelling movement.

3. A sole-pressing machine having a traveling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold the shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated and an air inlet nozzle, a swinging arm,

an air-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to bring said nozzles into aligmnent during the travelling movement of the unit, and means to couple the nozzles, whereby air is delivered to the pad to inflate the latter.

4. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad having a combined inlet and discharge nozzle and means to hold the shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, a movable air-delivery nozzle, means to couple said nozzle to said combined inlet and discharge nozzle at one point in the travelling movement of the unit thereby to inflate the pad, and means cooperating with said combined inlet and discharge nozzle to deflate the pad at another point in its travelling movement.

5. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold the shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, means to move the unit forward with a step-bystep movement, a swinging member, anair-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to couple said nozzle to said unit at one point inits travelling movement thereby to inflate the pad, and means to deflate the pad at another point in its travelling movement.

6. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, said unit having an air-inlet nozzle, a movable air-delivery nozzle, means to bring said nozzles into register during the travelling movement of said unit, manual means operative during such travelling movement to couple said nozzles'thereby to inflate the pad, and means cooperating with said air-inlet nozzle to deflate the pad at another point in the travelling movement of said unit.

7. A sole-pressing machine having a travelling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the" sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, said unit also having an air-inlet nozzle, an inwardly-opening check valve therein, a movable air-delivery nozzle having a recess adapted to receive the end of the air-inlet nozzle, a check valve in the air-delivery nozzle, means to couple said nozzles by entering the end of the air-inlet nozzle into the recess of the air-delivery nozzle, each valve having means to unseat the other valve when the nozzles are thus coupled, and means cooperating with said air-inlet nozzle to deflate the pad at another point inits travel.

8. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of connected travelling sole-pressing units, each comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated and an air-inlet nozzle through which the pad is inflated, means to move said connected units forward with a step-by-step movement, swinging member, an air-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to couple said nozzle to each air-inlet nozzle when the corresponding unit'reaches a predetermined point in its travel and to maintain such coupled relation of the nozzles during further traveling movement of the unit, whereby said pad is inflated during its traveling movement, and means to deflate each pad at another point in its travelling movement.

9. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of connected sole-pressing units, each comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, and an air-inlet nozzle through which the pad is inflated, a swinging arm, an air-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to align said air-delivery nozzle with each air-inlet nozzle when the corresponding unit reaches a predetermined point in its travel, and means to couple said nozzles thereby to inflate the pad, said air-delivery nozzles becoming disconnected from each air-inlet nozzle during the movement of the corresponding unit following its inflation.

10. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of connected sole-pressing units, each comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, and an air-inlet nozzle through which the pad is inflated, a swinging arm, an air-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to align said air-delivery nozzle with each air-inlet nozzle when the corresponding unlit reaches a predetermined point in its travel, means to couple said nozzles thereby to inflate the pad, said air-delivery nozzle becoming dis connected from each air-inlet nozzle during the movement of the corresponding unit following its inflation, and means to deflate each pad at another predetermined point in its travelling movement.

11. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of connected travelling sole-pressing units each comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, feeding means for feeding the connected units forward, a clutch for operating said feeding means, manual means to throw the clutch into engagement, mechanically-controlled means for automatically disengaging the clutch when the connected units have travelled forward a predetermined distance, a swinging member, an air-delivery nozzle carried thereby, means to couple said nozzle to the pad of each unit when the latter reaches a predetermined point in its travelling movement, whereby the corresponding pad is inflated, and means to deflate each pad at another point in the travelling movement.

12. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of sole-pressing units connected in the form of an endless chain structure, each unit comprising an inflatable pad, means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from a flated, and means to deflate each pad at another point in its travelling movement.

13. A sole-pressing machine having a plurality of sole-pressing units connected in the form of an endless chain structure, each unit comprising an inflatable pad having a combined air inlet and discharge nozzle, and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when inflated, two sprocket wheel assemblies around which the endless chain structure passes, a power shaft for giving rotation to one sprocket wheel assembly, a clutch for actuating the power shaft, manual means to throw the clutch into operation, means controlled by the driven sprocket wheel assembly to disengage the clutch when the endless chain structure has been moved forward a predetermined distance, means cooperating with the combined air-inlet and discharge nozzle of each unit to inflate the corresponding pad at one point in its travelling movement, and other means cooperating with said nozzle to deflate each pad at another point in its travelling movement.

14. A sole-pressing machine having a traveling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said unit having an air-inlet nozzle through which the pad is inflated, a swinging air-delivery nozzle, nozzle-aligning means carried by the air-delivery nozzle and normally situated in the path of movement of the air-inlet nozzle, whereby upon engagement of the air-inlet nozzle with said nozzle-aligning means the two nozzles are brought and held into alignment during the traveling movement of the sole-pressing unit, and means to couple said nozzles together thereby to inflate the pad.

15. A sole-pressing machine having a traveling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said unit having an air-inlet nozzle through which the pad is inflated, a swinging air-delivery nozzle, nozzle-aligning means carried by the air-delivery nozzle and normally situated in the path of movement of the air-inlet nozzle, whereby upon engagement of the air-inlet nozzle with said nozzle-aligning means the two nozzles are brought and held into alignment during the traveling movement of the sole-pressing unit, and means operative while the pad is traveling to couple the nozzles together thereby to inflate said pad.

16. A sole-pressing machine comprising a traveling sole-pressing unit in the form of an inflatable pad and having means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said unit having a depending air-inlet nozzle, a swinging airdelivery nozzle provided with a nozzle-aligning flange normally situated in the path of movement of the air-inlet nozzle whereby engagement of the air-inlet nozzle with said flange brings the nozzles into alignment and maintains such alignment during traveling movement of the solepressing unit, and means to couple said nozzles While so aligned thereby to inflate the pad.

17. A sole-pressing machine comprising a traveling sole-pressing unit in the form of an inflatable pad having means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said unit having a depending air-inlet nozzle, a horizontally-swinging air-delivery nozzle having an upstanding nozzle-aligning flange normally situated in the path of movement of the depending air-inlet nozzle, whereby engagement of said air-inlet nozzle with said flange brings the nozzles into alignment and maintains such alignment during traveling movement of the sole-pressing unit, and means to couple said nozzles While so aligned thereby to inflate the pad.

18. A sole-pressing machine having a traveling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold the shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said pad having an air-inlet nozzle, a movable air-delivery nozzle, one of said nozzles having an angular aligning flange presenting two meeting walls situated at an angle to each other and occupying planes extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the. solepressing unit, whereby when the other nozzle engages said flanges it is positioned in the apex thereof and thus aligned with the first-named nozzle, and means to couple the aligned nozzles thereby to inflate the pad.

19. A sole-pressing machine having a traveling sole-pressing unit comprising an inflatable pad and means to hold a shoe with the sole in position to receive pressure from the pad when it is inflated, said pad having an air inlet nozzle, a movable air-delivery nozzle having an aligning flange presenting two walls situated at an angle to each other and occupying planes at right angles to the direction of the movement of the sole-pressing unit and adapted to be directly engaged by the air inlet nozzle during the movement of the sole-pressing unit whereby the nozzles are aligned, and means to couple the aligned nozzles thereby to inflate the pad.

MAURICE BARRY. 

